Petrol prices rise by more than 3p a litre in just three weeks

Petrol prices have risen by more than 3p per litre in just three weeks, according to new analysis. The RAC has revealed that the average price of a litre of petrol went up by 3.2p from 140.0p on January 29 to 143.3p on Monday.

Diesel prices also jumped up by 4.0p per litre during the same period, going from 148.0p to 152.0p. This comes after fuel prices had been falling for the three months up until mid-January.

The increase in pump prices is down to a rise in the cost of oil, which has been trading above 80 US dollars a barrel for most of the past four weeks.

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RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: "News that fuel prices have bottomed out and are now on the rise again is bad for drivers, and possibly the economy and future inflation rates too.

"While we're not expecting prices to shoot up dramatically, it appears that oil is trading up, which in the absence of a stronger pound means wholesale fuel is costing more for retailers to buy in. The result is higher prices at the pump and more expense for the everyday driver."

Mr Williams continued: "The Red Sea attacks by Houthi rebels, which are forcing tankers to avoid the Suez Canal and instead go round South Africa's Cape of Good Hope, are clearly playing their part, but so have global refinery maintenance closures, the start of America's driving season and UK retailers buying more fuel stocks ahead of the Budget to protect against a possible fuel duty hike by the Chancellor.

"Despite these factors, we ought not to see forecourt prices go up too much more from where they are today, but a lot depends on how much margin the biggest retailers decide to take."